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Tom Savini

Tom Savini

Actor and director · Born November 3, 1946 (79) · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Thomas Vincent "Tom" Savini (born November 3, 1946) is an American actor, stuntman, director, award-winning special effects and makeup artist.  He is known for his work on the Living Dead films directed by George A. Romero, as well as Creepshow, The Burning, Friday the 13th, The Prowler, and Maniac. He directed the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead. Though officially retired from special effects, he has continued to direct, produce and star in several movies. Savini has been known to refer movie make-up effects projects to graduates of his school. He has appeared in films such as Dawn of the Dead (and its remake), From Dusk till Dawn, Grindhouse, and Machete.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 3, 1946 (79)
From
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Works as
Actor and director
Titles
63 on MovieCove · 110 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 24% in 30 days

What are Tom Savini's films like?

Across their 22 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Self.

Genres

Documentary5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 62nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Horror4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 13th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
31%
Self
19%
Society
15%
Morality
15%
Bonds
9%
Power
6%
Ideas
5%
Survival8 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 22 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 10 · Serious 4 · Dark 8

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 9 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 7 · Charged 8 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 9 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 4

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 3

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 9 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 12 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 6

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 15 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 3 of 4 analyzed roles.

Shadow
3 of 4
Trickster
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Dread
8
Absurd
7
Warm
5
Joyful
4
Other
16

How their films linger

Fun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous8

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Tom Savini's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 52 of their 63 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (36).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Tom Savini's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

110 credits, 63 with a MovieCove page; 72 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Queens of the Dead(2025)

    as Mayor

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Terrifier 3(2024)

    as Bystander

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Spooktacular!(2023)

    Executive Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • That's a Wrap(2023)

    as Manager

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Black Phone(2021)

    Special Effects

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Charles Band’s Full Moon Freakshow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Pandemonic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Poem 1

  • The FX of Dawn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Locke & Key(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Locksmith

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Creepshow(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • NOS4A2(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Snake

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Dogman's Rabies(2018)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Troll Empire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Thanks

  • The Sadist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Producer · as The Sadist

  • Machete Kills(2013)

    as Osiris Amanpour

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Cool As Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as The Demon Slayer

  • Django Unchained(2012)

    as Tracker

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Robin Hood: Ghosts of Sherwood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Sheriff of Nottingham

  • Inhuman Resources(2012)

    Makeup Artist · as Peter Bava

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Horrorween(2011)

    as Killer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower(2012)

    as Mr. Callahan

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Death from Above (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Makeup Artist · as Sheriff Raynick

  • The Theatre Bizarre(2011)

    Director · as Dr. Maurey

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Underground Entertainment: The Movie(2011)

    as Interrupting Tom

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Death Dealer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Machete(2010)

    as Osiris Amanpour

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Dead Matter(2010)

    as Sebed

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Deadtime Stories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director

  • Sea of Dust (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Prester John

  • Zack and Miri Make a Porno(2008)

    as Jenkins

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Lost Boys: The Tribe(2008)

    as David Van Etten

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • It's My Party and I'll Die If I Want To (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Uncle Tom

  • Blood 'n Fire Memories with Tom Savini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • Diary of the Dead(2007)

    Thanks · as Man Shouting on Radio 'Shoot in the Head' (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Loaded Dice(2007)

    as The Bishop

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Grindhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Deputy Tolo (segment "Planet Terror")

  • Planet Terror(2007)

    as Deputy Tolo

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Absence of Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as The Higher Power

  • Beyond the Wall of Sleep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Sheriff

  • Land of the Dead(2005)

    as Machete Zombie

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Forest of the Damned (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Stephen

  • Special Report: Zombie Invasion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Sheriff Cahill

  • Chill Factor: House Call (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director · Actor

  • Unearthed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Det. Victor Tonelli

  • Death 4 Told(2004)

    as Man (segment "The Psychic")

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Dawn of the Dead(2004)

    as The Sheriff

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Vicious (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Kane

  • Zombiegeddon(2003)

    as Jesus Christ

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Two Masters' Eyes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Blood Bath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Stranger

  • Ted Bundy(2002)

    Makeup Artist · Special Effects Makeup Artist · as Salt Lake City Detective

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Children of the Living Dead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Stunt Coordinator · as Deputy Hughs

  • Web of Darkness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Makeup Artist · Makeup Effects · Special Effects Coordinator · as Rouge

  • The Monster Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Joe

  • Behind the Scenes with Day of the Dead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Aqua Teen Hunger Force(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Cop (voice)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Sheena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Peter Reynolds

  • Cold Hearts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Makeup Artist

  • The Devil Ant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Tom Savini

  • Cutting Moments (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Makeup Artist · Special Effects Supervisor

  • Eyes Are Upon You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Eddie Rao

  • The Assassination File (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • From Dusk Till Dawn(1996)

    as Sex Machine

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Stitch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Makeup Artist · as Chemical / Weapons Engineer

  • The Demolitionist(1995)

    as Roland

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • George Romero's Golden Tales 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director

  • Ghostwriter: Attack of the Slime Monster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Special Effects · Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • Spooky World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Producer · as Self

  • Backstreet Justice(1994)

    Special Effects

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Necronomicon: Book of Dead(1993)

    Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Killing Zoe(1993)

    Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Trauma(1993)

    Makeup Artist · Makeup Effects

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Ghostwriter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 4 episodes · Makeup Artist

  • Innocent Blood(1992)

    as News Photographer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Bloodsucking Pharaohs in Pittsburgh(1991)

    Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Darkside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Night of the Living Dead(1990)

    Director · as (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Two Evil Eyes(1990)

    Makeup Effects · Special Effects · Special Effects Key Makeup Artist · Stunts · as The Monomaniac

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Tom Savini (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Heartstopper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Makeup Artist · as Lt. Ron Vargo

  • Red Scorpion(1988)

    Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Monkey Shines(1988)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Creepshow 2(1987)

    Makeup Effects · as The Creep

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2(1986)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Ripper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Jack the Ripper

  • Invasion U.S.A.(1985)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Day of the Dead(1985)

    Makeup Artist · Stunt Coordinator · as Zombie with Scarf (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • The Boy Who Loved Trolls(1984)

    as Motorcyclist

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Darkside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Maria's Lovers(1984)

    Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter(1984)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist · as Jason (Hitchhiker Murder Scene) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Midnight(1982)

    Makeup Artist · Special Effects

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Alone in the Dark(1982)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Creepshow(1982)

    Makeup Artist · Makeup Effects · as Garbage Man #2 (segment "Epilogue")

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Till Death Do We Scare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • The Prowler(1981)

    Special Effects · Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Nightmare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Special Effects Supervisor

  • The Burning(1981)

    Makeup Effects Designer · Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Knightriders(1981)

    as Morgan

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Eyes of a Stranger(1981)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Maniac(1980)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist · Stunt Coordinator · as Disco Boy

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Friday the 13th(1980)

    Makeup Artist · Special Effects Makeup Artist · Stunts · as Knife Killer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Effects(1979)

    Makeup Artist · as Nicky

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Dawn of the Dead(1978)

    Makeup Artist · Special Effects Makeup Artist · Stunt Double · as Motorcycle Raider

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Martin(1977)

    Makeup Artist · Makeup Effects · Stunts · as Arthur

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Dead of Night(1974)

    Makeup Artist · Special Effects

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Deranged(1974)

    Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Nightmare City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Makeup Artist · Writer · Actor

  • The 4th Reich (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as SS-Standartenführer Dirlewanger

  • The Evilry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

Career shape

A full career of 110 titles, 107 of them dated from 1974 to 2025.

Biggest box office

Machete (2010)

$45M worldwide

Highest rated

Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini (2015)

Midcredits 86th

Most popular right now

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Film career

Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles.

  • 1978Screen debut· Martin
  • 1996Career best· From Dusk Till Dawn
  • 2001First top-billed film· Children of the Living Dead

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting75 of 110: 52 only acting, 23 with another role · typical Midcredits score49thDirecting9 of 110: 5 only directing, 4 with another roleWriting1 of 110: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing3 of 110: 2 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew47 of 110: 28 only other crew, 19 with another role · typical Midcredits score44th

110 titles, 23 with more than one role — acting and other crew overlap on 19 of them.

By decade

1970s5 · 3 acting · 5 crew1980s24 · 11 acting · 20 crew1990s21 · 8 acting · 16 crew2000s30 · 29 acting · 6 crew2010s18 · 15 acting · 7 crew2020s9 · 7 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 8% of 26 roles
78839808

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Tom Savini's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 44th percentile, the median of all 58; across their 22 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 51st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 63 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th17
  • 25th to 49th23
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

22 of their 63 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Divisive4
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser22
  • Broadly Agreed8
  • Mixed22

Most divisive · actor

Horrorween (2011)

99th percentile spread · 60% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Django Unchained (2012)

Midcredits 99th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 38. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Tom Savini's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles41–94 · median 88 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles39–77 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles32–90 · median 72 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles24–51 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles46–93 · median 84 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Tom Savini work with?

People who share at least 2 of Tom Savini's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; George A. Romero shares the most, 6.

Directors

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles